C.S.Lewis, Rock Star

The roots of his popularity among evangelicals

During the early 1970s, popular Christian authors such as apologist Josh McDowell and the newly converted Chuck Colson wove Lewis's works into their own. McDowell, in his book Evidence that Demands a Verdict, made use of Lewis's famous description of Jesus as "liar, lunatic, or Lord

This was an era of renewed interest in the life of the mind among Christian college students, the era of Paul Little's apologetic works and John Stott's classic, Basic Christianity. On college campuses, Lewis's books had a "profound impact" for decades on InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF), says Bob Fryling, the executive director of InterVarsity Press. Lewis's books were (and still are) read by Christian students and others curious about the faith. ivcf used Lewis at evangelistic discussions in college dorms. "Outside of the Scriptures themselves, Lewis is probably the greatest authority and example of a thoughtful Christian faith," says Fryling.

By 1977, Lewis's books were selling 2 million copies a year. Once again, he was on his way to stardom. Seven years later, Lewis was back on the BBC, this time portrayed by actor Joss Ackland in Shadowlands, a film about Lewis's romance with Joy Davidman Gresham. Soon after, the BBC broadcasted a live-action version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

By the late 1980s, Lewis seemed to be popping up everywhere, even in Tom Wolfe's The Bonfire of the Vanities. Phyllis Tickle, an author and former religion editor for Publishers Weekly, recalls that in the early 1990s, Lewis's books began to appear on the religion bestseller lists of secular bookstores. This trend continued after the Hollywood version of Shadowlands, starring Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger, was released in 1994. According to Gary Ink, librarian at Publishers Weekly, Mere Christianity has been on the religion bestseller list ever since. According to Harper Collins, Lewis's publisher, sales of his books have increased 125 percent since 2001.

Comments

[Jeff]

I still can't believe the swill that McGrath churned into an article for the NYT Sunday Magazine two weeks about about Lewis. Thanks for reminding us of CSL's immense and enormous witness for Christianity, Amy.

Walker Percy notes the influence CSL had on his conversion to Catholicism in an interview. I think he helped many converts, like myself, end up in Mother Church. The puzzle is, why did he stop short himself?

Walter Hooper (convert from Anglicanism and CSL's secretary) posits that given the situation in the Anglican Church, Lewis would be a Catholic today.

[mtk]

Just 2 cents. I can't help but think that some of Lewis' almost magical allure comes from the fact that he died on the same day as JFK, and was not widely noted because the world was turned upside down. Thus, he kind of "lives on" in reprints of his books, each subsequent one with artfully modern cover. Many people don't even know he *is* dead. So, you have this author who writes with authority and gravitas, with books people have read for generations, with new editions ever appearing anew on bookstore shelves, and no common knowledge that he is actually not still alive.
Mark

[TheLeague]

"According to Gary Ink, librarian at Publishers Weekly..."

Great name for a librarian! And kudos to PW for having a librarian on staff. Unlike countless other publications that have let go their research staff, PW seems to know how important it is to have a trained generalist-researcher on staff.

[Bob Smietana]

Thanks Amy for the mention of my piece.

[Bob Smietana]

Thanks Amy for the mention of my piece.